Ubisoft's Bold Revelation: The Nintendo Switch Exclusive Game That Shocked Gamers

Ubisoft has acknowledged its mistake in the release of Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, admitting that it should have heeded Nintendo's advice. Nintendo had suggested that Ubisoft consider launching the sequel later, alongside the next console in the Nintendo Switch series. Despite this advice, Ubisoft proceeded with the release of Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope in late 2022. Unfortunately, the game failed to meet expectations, as confirmed by Ubisoft.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, a Nintendo Switch exclusive like its predecessor, was officially launched on October 20, 2022. The sequel garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews, as it significantly improved upon the gameplay and story of Kingdom Battle. While specific sales figures are not available, Ubisoft has acknowledged that Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope encountered difficulties in meeting expectations during the final weeks of 2022 and early January. At the time, Ubisoft expressed surprise at the disappointing sales.

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot admitted that the company may have underestimated the advice given by Nintendo. In a recent interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Guillemot revealed that Nintendo had advised Ubisoft to release only one version of their Mario + Rabbids game for each console. This meant that Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope should have been saved for the next-generation Nintendo console, which has yet to be announced. Guillemot now acknowledges that releasing two similar experiences on the same console was a mistake. According to him, games on Nintendo platforms have a remarkably long lifespan, often lasting up to ten years. Consequently, Ubisoft believes that Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope was launched prematurely.

The future of the Mario + Rabbids franchise remains uncertain. Although the sequel's overall sales were not as impressive, it cannot be considered a failure. However, if Ubisoft acknowledges the importance of spacing out releases based on Nintendo's advice, it is likely that they will adopt this strategy in the future. It is possible that Ubisoft may wait until the later stages of the Switch's successor's lifespan to release a third installment of the Mario + Rabbids series. In the meantime, they have the option to re-release the first two games with enhancements or updates.

Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is available now on Nintendo Switch.

Source: GamesIndustry.biz